“I am confident that we, in post-war Sudan, will put in great effort to overcome the trauma and heal.”
Mr. Ginish works as a national field coordinator for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan. He shares his story of being removed from Khartoum, his current living situation in Port Sudan, and the efforts he and his coworkers are making to aid the millions affected by the ongoing conflict.
“Prior to the violent events on April 15th, my family and I lived peacefully in Bahari, Khartoum.”
Mohammed Gimish escaped to Port Sudan and is currently employed at OCHA.
On the day the war began, I quickly understood the gravity of our situation and feared that it could quickly turn into a civil war in my beloved homeland.
When I reflect on wars, I envision large-scale displacements, gender-based brutality, infrastructure destruction, plundering, and murder. It was shocking to experience this firsthand.
I experienced a feeling of helplessness for the first time ever. My kids were filled with fear and I was unable to offer any assistance. I was completely devastated and overcome with sorrow.
Although I faced personal challenges, I recognized the significance of remaining and fulfilling our duties as humanitarians, as the well-being of numerous vulnerable individuals and children was in jeopardy.
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I am grateful to still be alive.
I was working from a remote location while attempting to understand the severity of the situation in our country and for our citizens. Fortunately, my brother-in-law and I were able to save some funds to purchase fuel and necessary supplies before embarking on a car trip to Gedaref state. The journey was highly dangerous and we were uncertain of what obstacles we may encounter.
We were pleasantly surprised by the level of kindness and generosity shown by the Sudanese individuals we encountered during our journey.
Even with limited resources, these compassionate gestures were offered to all those seeking shelter while fleeing Khartoum during times of hardship.
After sixteen days of separation, I was finally able to reunite with my family in Port Sudan.
During the ongoing war, numerous individuals had lost all that they had worked tirelessly for – their residence, their belongings. However, they were still alive, which is a reason to be sincerely thankful for.
Food is distributed to individuals in Port Sudan who have escaped from violence in Khartoum.
The situation on the ground is ‘heartbreaking.’
At present, I am situated in Port Sudan and have joined the sub-office of OCHA.
Fortunately, I was able to successfully relocate my wife and three kids to Saudi Arabia a couple of weeks ago. While it may not be a permanent solution, at least they are out of harm’s way for the time being.
Amidst the standstill in Sudan, it was a challenging endeavor to ensure the safety of its people and provide them with access to education, even if it was only through virtual means.
The current circumstances are devastating. Numerous individuals have been displaced from their residences, compelled to leave abruptly. Being an IDP (internally displaced person) is challenging, as it involves constant relocation and dealing with problems of overcrowding and poor hygiene. All one desires is to find a stable place to reside and start rebuilding their life.
Numerous individuals are attempting to access Egypt, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates. Port Sudan has emerged as the primary meeting location. However, due to OCHA’s limited resources, our available services are restricted.
In April 2023, a bombing in the Al-Tayif neighborhood of Khartoum, Sudan caused smoke to rise.
Despite the hope for a ceasefire, people are becoming increasingly frustrated. The high inflation, unstable electricity supply, and shortages of essential goods make it difficult for internally displaced individuals to sustain themselves.
Furthermore, the dispute has been intensified due to a cholera epidemic in nearby countries, and we are concerned it may spread to Port Sudan.
Amidst the prevalent violence and hardship, our fellow citizens shine through with their unwavering dedication, particularly those serving in distant regions of the nation.
Although their safety is not ensured, some of them have already lost everything. Despite this, they continue to work tirelessly and reliably day after day.
As a national field coordinator officer, I am constantly occupied with my duties. However, amidst the chaos, there is a positive aspect as I am able to expand my knowledge and assume additional tasks while overseeing various parts of the nation.
I will soon begin my assignment as the temporary head of the River Nile state office, which I am excited to tackle as a new opportunity.
I am hopeful that the circumstances will get better, that harmony will be reinstated, and that I will be able to be with my loved ones again. And when peace returns, I am confident that we will work diligently to recover from the pain and suffering.
Source: news.un.org
